Aquino: ‘No imminent threat yet’ in S. Korea

MANILA, Philippines – Learning from previous experiences, President Benigno Aquino III said Friday, April 5, that the government is assessing whether contingency plans in the past to evacuate Filipinos in the Korean peninsula are still suitable. 

But Filipinos in South Korea need not worry for now. Aquino said the government has “not received any information [that] there is an imminent threat.”

“We are checking the plans to make sure assumptions are still valid and all plans are intact if there’s a need to implement. We don’t have any reports it’s needed,” he said. 

Three years ago, the Philippines readied contingency plans to evacuate Filipinos when tensions rose after the sinking of South Korea’s naval vessel “Cheonan” by what Seoul insists was a North Korean submarine. 

Aquino said the Philippine ambassador to Korea at that time did not think hostilities would erupt. 

This time around, a threat of war again looms in the Korean peninsula. North Korea said on Saturday, March 30, it was entering a “state of war” with South Korea. Days after, North Korea said it has authorized nuclear strikes on the United States, a known ally of South Korea. 

The Department of Foreign Affairs has advised all 40,000 Fiipinos in South Korea to remain alert.

Under the contingency plan, Filipinos will be brought to Busan, which will serve as their embarkation point, in the event that hostilities ensue. 

Aquino recalled that in 2010, the government’s contingency plans would allow 100 people to board per flight and reach the country within 4 hours while 1,000 people could board ferries for a 10-day travel. 

Aquino said the Philipppines now has “better capabilities” but did not elaborate.

Two of the Philippine Air Force’s C-130 planes have been placed on standby for Filipinos in South Korea. 

“I’m reasonably confident that the Filipino communities working hand in hand with the embassy will be able to organize with our countrymen in the event there is a need to evacuate,” he said. 

The Philippines has called for an end to the provocative actions from North Korea that put at risk peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the Asia Pacific Region. – with reports from Angela Casauay/Natashya Gutierrez/Rappler.com